Lebanon: ISF Clears Environment Ministry from Protesters

Local Editor

Riot police forcibly removed protesters who had occupied part of the environment ministry in central Beirut on Tuesday following a several-hour standoff, which left several wounded.

Lebanese protesters occupy environment ministry

Police gradually moved the several dozen protesters from the "You Stink" campaign down from the eighth floor of the building in downtown Beirut.

Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq said security forces did not use force against the protesters, promising to penalize anyone who beat up activists “if the reports turn out to be true.”

He later dispatched “his security team and a number of officers to the Environment Ministry to oversee the evacuation of the rest of protesters from the building and to ensure that they will not be assaulted under any circumstances,” state-run National News Agency reported.

The activists staged a surprise sit-in to demand the minister's resignation after mass protests which began over a nationwide trash collection crisis.

The move came hours ahead of a deadline set by campaigners for the government to respond to their demands after a massive weekend demonstration.

Crowds of protesters gathered in front of the Ministry of Environment, after security forces refused to let them in the premises, National News Agency reported.

Security Forces sealed all entrances to the Environment Ministry, National News Agency correspondent said on Tuesday, NNA added.

The "You Stink" campaign began in response to a trash crisis that erupted with the closure of Lebanon's largest landfill in mid-July.

But it has evolved into an outlet for deep-seated frustrations over Lebanon's crumbling infrastructure and stagnant political class.

Last week, the campaign set out four key demands: the resignation of Environment Minister Mohammad Mashnouk, new parliamentary elections, the devolvement of trash collection to municipalities and accountability for violence against protesters.

The group of protesters sat cross-legged in a hallway outside the minister's office, waving Lebanese flags and chanting "Out, out out! Mashnuq, get out!"